Yeah!!? Winter has hit the Vail Valley!? Both Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek are reporting 9″ of new snow with more on the way.? Vail is opening more terrain today, including Chairs 3 and 4 (Mid-Vail) which should spread everyone out a bit better.

And more snow is expected throughout the upcoming week.? This is just what we need!? The resorts are ready for the season; Thanksgiving is now over, holiday decorations are going up, fireworks galore , ski instructors, and snow;? just the things every ski?town needs to entertain.? Kids are sledding, stores are hoping shoppers arrive, and my son and I built a huge snowman in the park as well.? He can’t wait to get out on the mountain to ski (he’s 3) and so should you!

Indoor and outdoor arenas, six stall barn, irrigated and fenced pastures, gorgeous custom Ponderosa Log Beam home.??? Living is easy in the sleepy Old West Town of Eagle, Colorado.? With barely a stop light, you can be assured of a casual, peaceful existence in this friendly community.? Castle Sky Ranch is in a secluded area of Eagle, yet minutes from fine dining, world class skiing, and the Eagle Jet Center.

Gateway Land and Developmentwill be moving our offices!? We’ll still be here in Edwards, CO, the heart of the Vail Valley, but we’re moving to Riverwalk.? Located on Highway 6, our new office?is convenient and comfortable,?and right?next door to the Edwards Movie Theater.

Stop on by the first week of December to say hi and check out our new space!??Our team of excellent real estate professionals?is?always available to discuss the current real estate market throughout the Vail Valley.

Vail mountain opens for the 08-09?winter season at 9 a.m. tommorrow morning.? Many excited skiiers and boarders will be present in Lionshead.? The buzz is in the air.? Last year we had a similar scenario,? pretty dry until the first week in December and then we just got pounded.

It is a great time to book those last minute trips to the mountains.? There are so many great deals out there.? Epic pass sales were extended until the 1st of December.? Vail Snow Daze event tickets are on sale now.? December 8-14? will consist of many great venues including Big Head Todd and The Monsters/Leftover Salomon.? All of those events are always magical, outdoor venues especially while it is snowing.?

For more information on any Vail fun activities from a locals view? feel free to contact me:

Here we are again at the beginning of another ski season!? Vail Mountain is set to open Friday, November 21st for the 2008-2009 ski season.? People are trying to decide what to do that day; ski?& play golf, ski & fly fish, go mountain biking??? It’s that strange time of year that sometimes happens when fall makes a resurgence and the snow is yet to really take control.? If you do go skiing, which of course you should, be prepared for nice weather and lots of people.

Looking at the extended forecast, we expect to see mild weather continue for?a bit before winter shows up in force again.? It may turn out to be just like last year, which was a record setting year for great snow here in the Vail Valley.? Beaver Creek is expected to open a week after Vail, but we’ll see.? Time to get your last fix for golfing and other sports that require you see the ground, because hopefully that snow is just around the corner.

Those of us that live here in the Vail Valley are often looking for great places to eat that are fun for the whole family.? And Minturn, CO has a handful of fantastic places that fit the bill.? Kid friendly and reasonably priced, the following places offer something a little different and are worth the trip.

The Minturn Saloon😕 A local favorite for generations!? Also famous as a destination after skiing the Minturn Mile!? Don’t miss?the margaritas, chips & salsa, and?roaring fire after skiing! (970) 827-5954?

Mango’s Mountain Grill😕 Although?a few miles?up the road from Minturn in Red Cliff, Mango’s is worth the trip.? Serving an eclectic menu, Mango’s is fun for everyone (my son especially likes to play w/ the train table upstairs).? Come for food, music, &?drinks; Mango’s has it all including a shuttle so you don’t have to drive!? (970) 827-9109

The Minturn Country Club😕 In the mood for a steak, chicken or seafood?? Try the Minturn Country Club for something a little different; you get to cook your own steak here!? Come in the off-season for local oriented $1.99 night!? (970) 827-4114

The Turntable Restaurant😕 This place will take you back in time, to when Minturn was a train stop and diners were a welcome sight.? (this much is still true) ?Well known for its “Boo’s Burrito,” the Turntable has a loyal following of locals and tourists who want something different.?? (970) 827-4164

Chilly Willy’s😕 Looking for TexMex or great fajitas?? Look no further than Chilly Willy’s, the first place you will see when driving into Minturn from I-70.? A fun atmoshpere with friendly staff, families love eating here and the portions are big.(970) 827-5887

To learn more about Minturn or the Vail Valley, please contact me anytime.

Turn key horse property in beautiful Eagle, Colorado.? Irrigated and fenced pastures, six stall barn, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a custom built log beam home.? Room to build a caretaker unit and expand the acreage.? With the growth of new developments and golf courses, open land near ski areas is becoming more and more scarce.? This property is located minutes from world class skiing, shops and restaurants, yet is secluded and peaceful.

Eby Creek is an area that even many locals don?t know about.? Unless you have a friend who lives there, you probably haven?t ventured up the canyon on the north side of town to the mesa top.? Once you do, you?ll understand what attracts people to this beautiful and quiet neighborhood.?

Eby Creek Mesa is filled with single family homes, lots of open space, neighborhood parks and an abundance of wildlife.? It?s a small area with only around 65 homes surrounded by an extensive trail system that begins on Eby Creek Homeowners? property and meanders back into federal open space, meaning only homeowners may access the space which makes it even more private and quiet.?

Sitting on the north side of the valley, Eby Creek enjoys sun baked days and absolutely stunning mountain views.? With larger homes at a lower price compared to up valley neighborhoods, Eby Creek residents consider it the hidden gem of the down valley.

For more information on the Eby Creek, Eagle or other Vail Valley real estate contact Karen Gilbert at 970-331-1482 or karen@gatewayland.com or visit my website at www.karensellsvail.com.

While 1868 Cross Creek Lane has?recently SOLD, 1876 Cross Creek Lane has recently been brought on the market!!? Very similar, but with a few differences, both homes are?the stuff of?dreams, especially?for a log cabin in the Rocky Mountains!? (The main difference is that 1876 Cross Creek Lane is 4 bedrooms with a double bunk room and?an attached recreation room on the upper level.? 1868 is 3 bedrooms with an upper level master suite.)? Offered for sale at $1,250,000? $1,149,000!

1876 Cross Creek Lane

?Here’s your chance!? 1868 Cross Creek is now for sale in Minturn.? It has SOLD!! This single family log cabin sits right on the Eagle River in Minturn CO.? You can literally fly fish from your back deck! (or just enjoy the river and mountain views!)

River View From 1868 Cross Creek Lane

This home is truly the perfect mountain getaway.? Only 4 miles from the Minturn I-70 exit, it sits just?minutes away from both Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort.? Discover all that historic Minturn and the Vail Valley have to offer while living in this peaceful enclave of just 14 log cabins.? All owners are?part of the Minturn Racquet & Trout Club, which provides great caretaker services and amenities.?? These homes are rarely available for purchase.